One of these, Decree 05/2015/ND-CP, carries implementation guidelines for the Labour Code, with one of the amendments requiring employers to compensate workers for delays of more than 15 days in paying their regular wages.

Meanwhile, Circular No 22/2014/TT-BTTTT issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications will change the telephone area codes of some provinces and cities including the capital city.

Ha Noi's area code will change from 4 to 24, that of HCM City from 8 to 28, Da Nang's from 511 to 236, Hai Phong's from 31 to 225 and Can Tho City's from 710 to 292. Under the new changes, landline numbers will have seven to eight digits while that of mobile phones will have 10.

The Finance Ministry's Circular 01/2015/TT-BTC regulates, among other things, that valid registration forms submitted by companies to the Ha Noi Stock Exchange will be processed and approved in five days.

Decree No.08/2015/ND-CP on Customs procedures and inspections contains provisions that will take effect on March 15. Enterprises that meet Decree-regulated conditions will enjoy certain exemptions from inspections, except in cases some violations are suspected, in which case random checks will be carried out.

The Government's Decree No.09/2015/ND-CP, taking effect on March 10, regulates an eight per cent increase in the pension of commune-level officials. The Decree also mandates increases in social insurance payments and monthly allowances for retired State employees and members of the armed forces. The right of infertile couples to have children via surrogacy under specific conditions takes effect on March 15. — VNS